Box structure



June 11, 1935. A. s. ETHRIDGE 2,004,197

' BOX STRUCTURE Filed May 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I "WM 'IIIII'lI IIIIIIIII IIIIQ. 'IIIIIIII 'IIIIIIIIIIJiiIIIA ATTORNEY6.

June 11,1935. s ETHRmGE 2,004,197

BOX STRUCTURE Filed May 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY5.

Patented June 11, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE BOX STRUCTURE -Albert S. Ethridge,

Hummel & Do

Milwaukee, Wis asslgnor to wning 00., Milwaukee, Win, a

10 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to improvements in the art of manufacturing containers, and relates more specifically to improvements in box structures formed of sheet material such as heavy paper or fibre stock. 7

Generally defined, an object of the invention is to provide an improved box structure which is simple and durable in construction.

Some of the more specific objects of the invention are as follows:

To provide a rigid box formed of one or more blanks of sheet material with minimum waste of stock, and having double thickness of stock on all sides and at the bottom thereof when finally assembled.

To provide improved supporting means for a paper or fibre box, which will permit free sliding or gliding of the structure over a floor or other support.

To provide improved instrumentalities for clamping and for preventing curling of the edges of the sheet material from which a paper or fibre container is formed.

To provide improved structure for reinforcing a receptacle formed of sheet material, and for facilitating stacking of such receptacles while eliminating danger of collapse.

To provide an improved box structure especially applicable to beer cases or the like, and means 30 for facilitating handling of such boxes, while preventing deterioration thereof by exposure to excessive moisture.

To provide an improved cover construction for containers such as paper boxes, and means for firmly holding the cover in place.

To provide an improved paper box structure having sheet metal or similar reinforcements, which may be manufactured and sold at minimum cost.

To provide various improvements in the details of construction of containers, whereby the utility and life thereof is enhanced to a maximum.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of embodiments oi the several features constituting the present invention, and of the mode of constructing paper boxes in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a 9 part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

. Fig. 1 is a partially assembled paper box having the reinforcing inner walls thereof folded outwardly in order to more clearly disclose the internal construction, omitted;

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section through the box of Fig. 1, fully assembled but with the cover likewise omitted, a portion of one of the 5 inner side walls hav' g been broken away;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the box, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, a portion of the inner end wall having been broken away;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the assembled box, 10 showing one type of improved metallic supporting gliders;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of a similar assembled box showing another type of metallic supporting and clamping means;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the bottom of the box, showing one of the improved metallic supporting clamps of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the blank used in form- 20 ing the improved box structure;

Fig. 8 is a central longitudinal section through a modified box structure also adapted to be formed with the type of blank shown in Fig. 7, with a cover applied;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section through the box and cover of Fig. 8, taken along the line 9-9;

Fig. 10 is a top view of the box and cover of Figs 8 and 9, with one of the cover retaining tongues broken away so as to reveal the structural details;

Fig .11 is an enlarged fragment of the upper central portion of one of the side walls of the modified box structure and cover; and

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a modified form of insert blank used to provide for double wall thickness.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as being specifically applied to a beer case of standard size formed of heavy paper stock, it is not intended to limit the scope by such specific disclosure, as some of the features are obviously more generally applicable to other types of containers adapted for various classes of service.

As illustrated in Fig. '7, the improved box structure, without the cover, may be formed of a single blank of fibre or heavy paper stock, this blank comprising foldably connected outer side walls i2, outer end walls l3, inner side walls I 4, inner end walls I5, outer bottom flaps l6, inner bottom flaps I1, and a side and end wall connecting flap l8. The several'joints of interconnection between these sections are preferably scored to provide for convenient folding, and the end and also having the cover walls I3, I5 are provided with registerable handle openings I9, while the inner side walls I4 may be provided with cut-outs 20. If desired, the stock which is cut away to form the openings I9, may be left partly attached to the inner end walls I5 to provide closures for these openings.

The inner bottom flaps I1 are of L-shaped or similar formation, and each of the bottom flaps l6, I! has an area approximately equal to onehalf of that of the total bottom area, so that when the complementary bottom flaps are folded. into finally assembled position, they will abut edgewise but will not overlap. The entire blank may be waterproofed by impregnating or applying a coating of moisture proof material such as wax, at the raw or cut edges as well as at the sides.

Referring specifically to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the blank of Fig. 7 may be assembled into a complete box structure by folding the series of outer side and end walls I2, I3 toward each other and permanently attaching the connecting flap I8 to the free end of the adjacent end wall I3, with metal stitching 2I or otherwise, as shown in Fig. 3, by subsequently folding the bottom flaps I6, I'I inwardly and over each other as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, and by finally folding the inner walls I4, I5 into the box and against the adjacent outer walls I2, I3. It is to be noted, that the structure when thus assembled, has double-ply sheet material embodied in all four walls and in the bottom, and the handle openings I9 in the end walls I3, I5 will register with each other.

In the box structure shown in Figs 1 to 4 inclusive, the bottom flaps IS, H are reinforced and finally clamped into position by means of supporting glider strips 22 formed of metal and extending throughout the length of the bottom and upwardly for a short distance along the end walls. These glider strips 22 coact directly with the outer bottom flaps I6 and with the lower portions of the outer end walls I3, and have integral sharpened locking projections 23 which pierce the inner bottom flaps I1 and are bent over to effectively clamp the flaps I6, H in superimposed position. Such projections 23 may also be provided at the upright end portions of the strips 22, if so desired, in order to clamp the lower portions of the end walls l3, I5 together, and each set of the handle openings I9 may be provided with a metallic clamping and grip element 24 having an outer flange 25 engaging the outer face of the adjacent outer end wall I3, and also having inner cleats 26 bent over and into engagement with the inner face of the adjacent inner end wall I5. These elements 24 may be formed of a single piece or in several parts, and may also be provided with integral cover stops 21 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, formed by enlargement of the upper cleats and cooperable with the lower surface of a slip-in cover to prevent the same from being forced into the case when empty.

Before the inner side and end walls I4, I5 are folded into the box of Fig. 1, a continuous metal strip or band 28 is inserted at the top, and is confined at the upper edges of the side and end walls as shown in Figs. 2 and 3,-when the clamping elements 24 are subsequently applied. This metal band 28 may obviously be L-shaped in cross-section, or flat, or round, or any other desirable shape, and serves to reinforce the entire box structur'e. A similar continuous rnetalv reinforcing band 29 may also be applied to the interior of the container near the bottom, and this latter band will keep the lower edges of the inner walls i4, i5 in snug engagement with the outer walls I2, I3. Both of the bands 28, 29 add rigidity to the box, and the L-shaped upper band 28 enhances the width of the upper edges of the side walls sufficiently to provide for effective stacking.

As an alternative for the supporting strips 22, or in addition thereto, the box structure may be provided with supporting cleats 30 as shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6. These cleats 30 may be formed of stampings, and have sharp locking projections 3| which are capable of piercing the bottom flaps l6, ll, and are adapted to be bent over in order to clamp the flaps I6, I'I intimately together, especially near the edges, so as to pre vent curling of the flap edges and corners. The cleats 30 may be utilized at portions other than the box bottom, for protective purposes, and the strips 22 as well as the cleats 30, permit the box to be slid or glided over a floor or other surface without exposing the paper bottom to excessive wear.

In Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive is shown a modified box structure and cover construction, the former of which may also be formed from the blank shown in Fig. 7 by folding the sections in the manner previously described. This modified construction may also be provided either with glider strips 22 or with cleats 30, at the bottom, and with grip elements 24 either with or without the stops 2! at the handle openings I9, and with a retainer band 29 within the lower portion thereof. The top of this modified box, has no concealed reinforcing band 28, but in lieu thereof is provided with a continuous metal outer or cap band 32 which has U-shaped cross-section and is pressed over the upper edges of the side and end walls of the container. By virtue of the fact that this band 32 is formed of metal or the like, it-will eliminate wear at the top of the side and end walls due to stacking of the boxes, besides reinforcing the structures.

When covers 33 are provided for boxes of this type, they "are usually of the insert type having flanges 34 insertible within the upper portions of the containers. This type of cover 33 will ordinarily rest upon the tops of bottles 35 disposed in compartments formed by spacers 36 located in the box as shown in dot-and-dash lines in Figs. 8 and 9, and if the case is empty, the cover may rest upon the inner upper portions of the upper ends of the side or end walls, or upon all of the walls, and will not drop into the box unless external pressure is applied. The insert type of cover 33 is preferable in order to avoid external projection of the cover flanges beyond the confines of the box and in order to prevent possible pushing of the cover into the box interior, either stops 21 such as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, or tongues 31 formed on the cover 33 and insertible through slots 38 into the sockets formed by the cut-outs 20, may be utilized. These tongues 31 are formed integral with the cover 33 and may be inserted as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, and if desired, such tongues may be utilized in addition to the stops 21 on the handle elements 24.

When the external type of upper reinforcing band 32 is utilized, the blank from which the box is formed, may be formed of two pieces, the one piece comprising an outer wall and bottom portion including the outer walls I2, I3 and the bottom flaps IS, IT; and the other piece consisting of an inner wall insert such as shown in Fig. 12. This insert comprises four end connected side and end inner walls I4, I which may be folded toward each other and subsequently slipped downwardly into the box previously formed from the other piece of the blank. The handle openings IQ of the inner end walls l5 will then be in registry with the corresponding openings of the outer end walls l3, and the notches 20 will appear within the box. Upon application of the upper band 32, the insert will be locked in position within the box, and will provide for double thickness at the side and end walls.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the invention provides a double thickness and therefore an extremely durable box structure which can be readily produced either from a single or from a multiple piece blank with minimum waste of sheet material. The strips 22 and cleats 30 besides providing a support which will permit sliding of the box without damaging the same, also retain the bottom flaps firmly in position. The strips .22, and the bands 28, 29, 32 enhance the rigidity of the structure, and the U-shaped bands 32 also protect the top of the box against possible damage due to stacking. The metallic grip elements 24 besides facilitating carrying of the improved case, also serve to lock the inner walls in position, and the extensions 21 as well as the slots 38, serve to efiectively support the covers 33 when used. The additional thickness provided at the top of the improved box structure by the upper band 28, 32, also facilitates stacking or piling of the boxes upon each other, and these improved containers have proven highly successful and durable in actual use.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims, may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:-

1. In a box structure, a continuous series of walls having a metallic reinforcing band secured to thetop portion thereof, said band having local slots therein, and a cover having flanges insertible within said band and tongues insertible within said slots.

2. In a box structure, a double thickness bottom, and metallic supporting means having clamping projections piercing both thicknesses of said bottom to clamp the same together.

3. In a box structure, a double bottom formed of superimposed paper flaps, and a metallic supporting member spanning the joints between adjoining ilaps and clamped to all of said flaps near the edges thereof.

4. In a box structure, a double bottom formed of a series of flaps providing superimposed layers of paper stock, and supporting strips extending across said bottom and secured to all of said flaps.

5. In a box structure, a double wall having registering handle openings therein within the body of the box, and a metal element formed to clamp said wall at said openings.

6. In a box structure, a wall formed of several layers of paper stock having registering handle openings therein within the body of the box, and a metallic element clamping said layers together at said openings.

7. In a box structure, inner and outer walls having registering handle openings therein, and a reinforcing band of metal intimately clamping said walls together at the top of the box and above said openings.

8. In a box structure, double end walls having registering handle openings therein within the body of the box, a double bottom formed of series of flaps providing superimposed layers of stock, and a metallic band within the box coacting with the lower portions of the inner end walls and with the upper bottom flaps.

9. In a box structure, double side and end walls each comprising outer and inner layers foldably interconnected at their upper ends, a double bottom formed of a series of superimposed flaps each foldably connected to the bottom 01' one of said outer wall layers, and a retaining band within the box coacting with the lower portions of said inner wall layers and with the upper of said flaps.

10. In a box structure, double side and end walls each comprising an outer and inner layer, a double bottom comprising two-pairs of superimposed flaps, each of said flaps being formed integral with one of said outer wall layers, and a retaining band coacting with the lower portions of all of said inner wall layers and with the upper of said flaps.

ALBERT S. E'I'HRDDGE. 

